ねりまる
A few minutes' walk from Ebisu Station, this yakitori restaurant is located just before Ebisu Shrine. They specialize in grilled skewers of southern chicken, as well as seasonal dishes made with fresh ingredients. The skewers may be small, but each ingredient is cooked perfectly. The restaurant is popular, with a cozy atmosphere and spacious tables.
I visited this restaurant in the evening after finishing some boring work in the Daikanyama area. I had made a reservation in advance, and the place was packed with customers by 7 pm, showing its popularity. We started with some beer and a complimentary appetizer of grated yam with wasabi, which was refreshing.
I opted for the Tasaki course priced at 4,900 yen, which included 9 skewers, 3 dishes, and a choice of rice dish for the finale. The skewers included chicken heart, young corn, tail meat, tomato, chicken neck, gizzard, chicken thigh, foie gras daikon, and shiitake mushroom. The dishes consisted of chicken skin with ponzu sauce, pickles, soup, and a green salad. Despite the small size of the skewers, the flavors were rich and the cooking was skillful. The chicken skin and pickles were great with drinks, and the soup was light and refreshing.
The vegetables like tomato, young corn, and shiitake mushroom were in season and had a strong natural flavor. The chicken and offal skewers had a variety of textures and were cooked perfectly. The foie gras daikon was a standout dish, with a rich and flavorful taste. For the final rice dish, I chose the Japanese-style minced chicken bowl, which was delicious.
We ended the meal with a bite-sized serving of vanilla ice cream sprinkled with a hint of salt, which was a nice balance of sweetness. Overall, I left the restaurant feeling pleasantly full after about 90 minutes. It was a casual and enjoyable dining experience.